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And, of course, you shall portray yourself as completely innocent and as a sweet, gentle individual...

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It's all a sham. Politics is a big game, same as the media - and same as religion. The point is to distract & control. If we're looking at what they tell us is the "big issue", we're not looking at what they are doing. In time, there will be different causes and different minorities to pick-on. All in the name of keeping the system going, and the people distracted.

It is illegal for people to tell others that someone is poz. If I were you I'd contact the ACLU

Good idea, except if this is the only source for meds in the area. That might present quite a problem!

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It's all a sham. Politics is a big game, same as the media - and same as religion. The point is to distract & control. If we're looking at what they tell us is the "big issue", we're not looking at what they are doing. In time, there will be different causes and different minorities to pick-on. All in the name of keeping the system going, and the people distracted.

Carl....let us know the outcome ........and whoever took your Ryan White away had better have a good reason for doing so, it seems to me, that they could loose their job over this SHIT also keep notes, and document who you talked to and spoke with get their NAME & Title, how long they worked there, and who they are

« Last Edit: March 18, 2010, 11:33:30 AM by denb45 »

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"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

I'm just curious. How does one stretch 600 or so a month? I remember years ago when I became really ill and spent almost a year on the dole. I brought in around six something a month and even with food stamps I couldn't make ends meet. Lost my apartment and truck. Didn't have cable, internet, cell or any other luxury items. Basically became homeless and still came up short every month. Even though I was ill I went back to work after eight months. Today I work full time but still must budget my finances every month. I remain close to the poverty level guidelines in order to maintain ADAP/Ryan White. Either folks are getting some outside help or there is some creative accounting going on.

I remain close to the poverty level guidelines in order to maintain ADAP/Ryan White.

Hal, that is the way it is for me, however I happen to live with someone who makes the same income as I do, so, this helps some, but, every time I go to the Grocery Store, it seems that every week or so, I come out with STICKER-SHOCK, and the price of gas is going up & up again, as well as rent, and none of this helps anyone, it's called GREED Hall plain and simple, someone is getting rich, but I can assure you it anit me are anyone of us in here ,working or not........

« Last Edit: March 18, 2010, 01:11:56 PM by denb45 »

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"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

VERY carefully! You have to budget every penny of it - forget ever having any extra $ to throw around.. It's a "water-tight" budget.

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It's all a sham. Politics is a big game, same as the media - and same as religion. The point is to distract & control. If we're looking at what they tell us is the "big issue", we're not looking at what they are doing. In time, there will be different causes and different minorities to pick-on. All in the name of keeping the system going, and the people distracted.

VERY carefully! You have to budget every penny of it - forget ever having any extra $ to throw around.. It's a "water-tight" budget.

bear it would be a lot worse if you didn't live with someone are you sure you cannot go to your local HUD-office (Section eight) you may get some relief on your rent, I think it's a 3rd of what your income would be, your rent that is

« Last Edit: March 18, 2010, 01:35:12 PM by denb45 »

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"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

It's all a sham. Politics is a big game, same as the media - and same as religion. The point is to distract & control. If we're looking at what they tell us is the "big issue", we're not looking at what they are doing. In time, there will be different causes and different minorities to pick-on. All in the name of keeping the system going, and the people distracted.

go to the HUD-office, and see above what I suggested you may qualify for HOPWA from your local ASO, also, they may have some sort of rental assistance, most ASOs do have this to help w/ rent, it sure sounds like you would qualify for this

« Last Edit: March 18, 2010, 01:41:11 PM by denb45 »

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"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

It's all a sham. Politics is a big game, same as the media - and same as religion. The point is to distract & control. If we're looking at what they tell us is the "big issue", we're not looking at what they are doing. In time, there will be different causes and different minorities to pick-on. All in the name of keeping the system going, and the people distracted.

No, he is not eligible... I merely said he is unemployed. He was a "victim" of the change in radio from disc-jockeys and on-air personalities to automated systems the station-manager programs once a week. Atlanta Radio Theater Company (which he helped found and start) has somewhat died down due to one of their heads attempting to cater solely to convention crowds. After his stroke, most other businesses wouldn't hire him due to his mobility problems.

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It's all a sham. Politics is a big game, same as the media - and same as religion. The point is to distract & control. If we're looking at what they tell us is the "big issue", we're not looking at what they are doing. In time, there will be different causes and different minorities to pick-on. All in the name of keeping the system going, and the people distracted.

Bear......you may qualify for HOPWA from your local ASO, also, they may have some sort of rental assistance, most ASOs do have this to help w/ rent, it sure sounds like you would qualify for thisit really couldn't hurt if you were more pro-active about your situation, I'd start making some callsand start applying for some of these things, that can help you out some hon

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"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

Bear......you may qualify for HOPWA from your local ASO, also, they may have some sort of rental assistance, most ASOs do have this to help w/ rent, it sure sounds like you would qualify for thisit really couldn't hurt if you were more pro-active about your situation, I'd start making some callsand start applying for some of these things, that can help you out some hon

My partner is H.I.V. negative - would I still be eligible considering we live together?

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It's all a sham. Politics is a big game, same as the media - and same as religion. The point is to distract & control. If we're looking at what they tell us is the "big issue", we're not looking at what they are doing. In time, there will be different causes and different minorities to pick-on. All in the name of keeping the system going, and the people distracted.

My heart goes out to you Bear . Do you guys have friends near to socialize with ?

I lived on $800 a month for many years but I didn't have to pay rent , just utility's and food . I never did anything except go to the store and back home again . I had some friends I would go see once a month that lived about a 100 miles away and that kept my sanity in tack LOL sort of .

When my doctor found out my lack of a social life he and his boyfriend treated me to a movie and dinner every Tuesday . I felt embarrassed at first but they were so sweet about I gave in . My situation has changed recently so I'm able to treat them to a night out every now and then . Thank god for good friends .

My partner is H.I.V. negative - would I still be eligible considering we live together?

You might be eligible for HUD rental assistance, if you are your partner can prove that one of you may need assistance, but, that only means, that whoever needs a caregiver only one of you, the sickest one, will get assistance with a doctors note that says that person need help with cooking, driving, and house-work (like your partner which has mobility issues) so that would mean he would have to apply, as far as getting rental assistance form your local ASO, HOPWA sounds like it would be more geared to you, since you are way below the Federal Poverty Line.....@ 100%

I don't think it really matters if you live with someone, it does, if he has a job, or other household income, but in your case he doesn't......but please keep in mind that you are the one that is HIV+ and you are the one that needs help, so, play this card VERY wisely as THIS can be VERY TRICKY.... if you do apply for any help most ASOs have strict guidelines on this matter, where household income come into play.....

however HUD-sec-eight is a little different and go's by who is the sickest, and who needs the most assistance, and NOT by your household income, you should however apply for both, it couldn't hurt any , and one more thing, if your partner is sick & has mobility problems perhaps, maybeyou should take him to a doctor, are go apply for some SSI or SSDI or Medicaid it sounds like he cannot work anymore, and may need some help too....

bear my heart go's out to ya, and I do hope that you use some of this info to get the help you need, sounds to me like both you and your partner need some help, I do hope you find your way outta this mess your in ...good luck to ya hon

« Last Edit: March 18, 2010, 05:14:56 PM by denb45 »

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"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

My heart goes out to you Bear . Do you guys have friends near to socialize with ?

He's from about 35 miles from here and has several friends locally.. I have a few nearby also; socialization isn't a problem for us..

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It's all a sham. Politics is a big game, same as the media - and same as religion. The point is to distract & control. If we're looking at what they tell us is the "big issue", we're not looking at what they are doing. In time, there will be different causes and different minorities to pick-on. All in the name of keeping the system going, and the people distracted.

Another option is you might try one of those free clinics Dr. Oz helped to create. I know there are all over the country now. Here is the website you can put in your zip code to see if one is near you:

In regards to how HOPWA works here in Miami if you have a non-positive roommate, HOPWA will split the rent in half (they will have your obligation as half the rent and your non-positive roommate's as 1/2 the obligation) they then will pay whatever portion you are eligible for based on your half. His income shouldn't enter into the equation..... the only other way around it is if you show that you need someone there to be a caregiver to you, then they don't expect the other person to pay their half of the rent and do the equationi based on what the rent is, what their allowance is to cover and what your income isHope all of that wasn't too confusing....

Another option is you might try one of those free clinics Dr. Oz helped to create. I know there are all over the country now. Here is the website you can put in your zip code to see if one is near you:

It's all a sham. Politics is a big game, same as the media - and same as religion. The point is to distract & control. If we're looking at what they tell us is the "big issue", we're not looking at what they are doing. In time, there will be different causes and different minorities to pick-on. All in the name of keeping the system going, and the people distracted.

I was thinking the same thing. Your free cash flow is $252 a month but yet you have access to the internet. At $40 a month that's 16% of your income (post rent) going towards the internet (excluding the cost of owning/buying a computer)!

It is a shame the level of poverty, the gov expects people to live on....whilst wealth is all around.

Yeah, I know they base it on the last 2-3 years of what you paid into SS. Can't say it's my fault you didn't look at your check stubs to see that payroll was making a mistake, now can I? As the CFO where I worked I do have a bit of a handle on how stuff like this works. Plus those last couple of years I'd gotten a hefty raise so that pumped my SSDI up high, plus salaries are high in Manhattan to begin with.

And guess what honey, this queen worked since around the age of 14 though it was off the books at that time since it wasn't technically legal to be working. Lazy is one thing I never was in terms of employment, so you can pimp your cause elsewhere Roddles. I'm sorry, however, that you got screwed by your employer, but I can't imagine not noticing that it was happening. Don't you have any legal case regarding that or did you already pursue it?

Actually, many Americans have jobs that do not pay into Social Security. It is, for example, common for government employees to pay into a mandatory pension plan instead of Social Security.

In my case, I worked for several years at a state university where, instead of sending money to SSA, the university sent the money to the public employee retirement fund. (They did, however, take money out for Medicare.) I am therefore ineligible for SSDI.

Unfortunately, I worked for the university for less than the five years required for to be eligible for disability or a pension. The fact that I was forced to leave because my co-workers were terrified of working with or eating near a PWA was irrelevant; I was ineligible for disability or retirement benefits because I worked there less than five years.

I was thinking the same thing. Your free cash flow is $252 a month but yet you have access to the internet. At $40 a month that's 16% of your income (post rent) going towards the internet (excluding the cost of owning/buying a computer)!

It is a shame the level of poverty, the gov expects people to live on....whilst wealth is all around.

Cable, cell phone service? Factor in the car insurance payment and gas and either this guy is the most frugal man in America or he's not revealing other sources of income.

Cable, cell phone service? Factor in the car insurance payment and gas and either this guy is the most frugal man in America or he's not revealing other sources of income.

Yeah, I just don't see how 2 adult men can both live off $647 a month, it really doesn't seem likely at all to me, no matter how many corners you cut each month my hat go's off to him and his partner just for pulling that off, without Foodstamps, General Relief, are some other type of help

« Last Edit: March 19, 2010, 09:08:39 AM by denb45 »

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"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

I was thinking the same thing. Your free cash flow is $252 a month but yet you have access to the internet. At $40 a month that's 16% of your income (post rent) going towards the internet (excluding the cost of owning/buying a computer)!

Again, unnecessary expense... It's a lil' extra that makes for sanity. There is no cost as far as owning or buying a computer - it's one Willie has has for about 4 years and it seems to still work fine.

Yeah, I just don't see how 2 adult men can both live off $647 a month, it really doesn't seem likely at all to me, no matter how many corners you cut each month my hat go's off to him and his partner just for pulling that off, without Foodstamps, General Relief, are some other type of help

DO get Foodstamps, actually... Sorry didn't think to mention that before - that DOES add in - and make a Hell of a difference!

Cable, cell phone service? Factor in the car insurance payment and gas and either this guy is the most frugal man in America or he's not revealing other sources of income.

The cellphone service is via Safelink, so it's free. The house-phone is MagicJack, so it's $20 per year. The "cable" (which I don't really use but "hubby" does) comes free with the internet.

I know some on here simply can't wrap their brain around living on less than $1000-$2000 a month, but believe it or not it is a reality. When you don't have a choice, all you CAN do is learn how to do it.

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It's all a sham. Politics is a big game, same as the media - and same as religion. The point is to distract & control. If we're looking at what they tell us is the "big issue", we're not looking at what they are doing. In time, there will be different causes and different minorities to pick-on. All in the name of keeping the system going, and the people distracted.

DO get Foodstamps, actually... Sorry didn't think to mention that before - that DOES add in - and make a Hell of a difference!

Is Medicaid aware that your hubby is living with you, and is disabled as well, this may help too, as he has ZREO-income, it couldn't hurt, also, did you know that he can apply for Medicaid as well, this would help pay for his medical bills, co-pays, and doctors visits, general relief is also available to him ( it's an additional $200 to $300 a month, whatever your State or County allows) as he has NO-income, he should apply for these things was well , as THIS will help the both of you out a lot, DON'T be ashamed of any of this, and it again, couldn't hurt to ask hon, you and your sick hubby needs to both be pro-active to go out and apply for what you need

« Last Edit: March 19, 2010, 08:01:07 PM by denb45 »

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"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

Is Medicaid aware that your hubby is living with you, and is disabled as well, this may help too, as he has ZREO-income, it couldn't hurt, also, did you know that he can apply for Medicaid as well, this would help pay for his medical bills, co-pays, and doctors visits, general relief is also available to him ( it's an additional $200 to $300 a month, whatever your State or County allows) as he has NO-income, he should apply for these things was well , as THIS will help the both of you out a lot, DON'T be ashamed of any of this, and it again, couldn't hurt to ask hon, you and your sick hubby needs to both be pro-active to go out and apply for what you need

Thanks, Dennis!!!

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It's all a sham. Politics is a big game, same as the media - and same as religion. The point is to distract & control. If we're looking at what they tell us is the "big issue", we're not looking at what they are doing. In time, there will be different causes and different minorities to pick-on. All in the name of keeping the system going, and the people distracted.

Your welcomed hon, I've never had to use most of these programs before, I've been lucky, but, I do know that most of them do exist to help everyone in need, as I was very happy to pay the taxes to keep them going before I got sick myself

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"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

I agree its total BS and im a hothead who is quick to go on the offensive when i feel trodden upon, that being said and becuase i can be objective since im not the one who is angry (if i was i wouldnt be able to think it through until i stopped and forced myself to) as wrong as it is, and as hurt as you are by this, think about whats important...your health and your ability to access affordable care...if that means you have to sacrifice a little dignity unfortunately that is the hidden cost, is it fair no! is life fair? not always...when it comes to treating hiv unless your a millionaire you cant afford to take a stand on principles...call them and say your sorry for getting angry (even if your not) ask them to see it from your point of view and ask them to overlook the outburst you directed at them, and to PLEASE help you (you dont have to like doing this, but it will make your life easier in the long run) just my 2 cents

It's all a sham. Politics is a big game, same as the media - and same as religion. The point is to distract & control. If we're looking at what they tell us is the "big issue", we're not looking at what they are doing. In time, there will be different causes and different minorities to pick-on. All in the name of keeping the system going, and the people distracted.